A black cab driver has been caught smoking in his vehicle.

Preston City Council officers observed Azkar Hussain Aziz lighting a cigarette in his taxi.

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Aziz, of Woodlands Avenue, Penwortham, had set down a fare in Cheapside, Preston city centre on 2 June this year.

Council officers saw the driver proceed to light a cigarette and drive away smoking.

He failed to attend a court hearing on Wednesday (23 August) and was fined in his absence.

Read more: How getting a taxi in Preston is about to become more expensive

Preston Magistrates Court ordered Aziz to pay a £200 fine, city council costs of £272 and a victim surcharge of £30.

It’s the second time Aziz has been caught smoking in his taxi. Council officers caught him smoking in 2011 and he paid a fixed penalty fine of £50.

Cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor Peter Moss said: “Taxi drivers have a responsibility to protect the health of their passengers, and the law on not smoking in the workplace applies to their vehicles for this reason.

“We take non-compliance very seriously and prosecute offenders to safeguard people’s health.”